Alex's House
"That's the spirit!" said Coralie, giving him a friendly thump on the arm. "Never know until you try it, right? Gimme a sec, I'm gonna go grab it."
With that, Coralie hopped off the couch and scampered away to grab the gun from the bathroom. Just as she was getting it, it suddenly occurred to her that Alex would need a mirror to take in his new face afterwards. So she looked around the bathroom, and if needed, broadened her search elsewhere to find the biggest movable mirror she could find.
If she couldn't find one, her search would likely lead her all the way back to the living room. Either way, she'd soon come back, with the Transmogrifier Gun tucked under her arm.
And a Strange Figure Emerges.The Slab
Blake shuffled awkwardly in place, shoving his hands into his pockets as he processed the fact that merely having the coin was weird even without it being much of a power.
"I mean I don't know if dad knew what it does or if he just thought I'd like a cool coin. I... I don't know what to do with the possibility of a double life, especially because I don't know what that would be?"
Mrs Smith
"Well, Elaine, I would like to talk with your mother sometime about this. You are probably aware of why, but I would still like to assure you that my intent here is not as bad as your assumptions."
With a little nod she stepped back and looked at Gill.
"Yes, just need to finish up this chat. Once it's done, I'll get Blake and we can head home."
It's clearly a case of backroom political albumizing.Monday, Little Haven, shopping center, The Slab, after school - Lynn Polyhymnia the quadruplets wondering about the logistics of supernatural items.
"Aren't Coralie's items just science that we don't properly understand yet?" Carolyn kind of pointed out in response to Val, before looking thoughtful. "But maybe the same could be said of everything that is supernatural. Hmm..."
"Blake's parents being involved in the supernatural would explain why they enrolled him in Oddity High... But why would they not tell him?" Lindon said, and likewise looked thoughtful.
"Do supernatural objects have to be made by supernatural people? Or are there inherently supernatural materials that normal people could use to make supernatural objects?" Linton thought out loud, likewise looking thoughtful.
Marilyn also looked thoughtful, but stayed quiet, keeping an eye on the others. (The not-quadruplet others, to be clear.)
Monday, Little Haven, Alex's house, after school - Alex Palencia the werewolf who lives in a somewhat poor house.
The only mirror in the bathroom was the mirror on the wall cabinet, which wasn't exactly portable. There was one handheld mirror in the house, though it was in Sandra's room, so Coralie would only find it if she was willing to go in there.
Either way, Alex waited patiently in the living room. He had stopped hugging his legs and was sitting normally by the time Coralie came back. "Alright, so uh, hit me I guess?" he said when he saw her walking back into the living room.
Meanwhile in the kitchen, Sandra was still watching the cooking noodles.
You are reading this.The Slab
"Maybe they're some sort of magical treasure hunters," Vivian suggested, looking to have her head in the clouds. "Some sort of like, Indiana Jones thing or something? ...Though yeah, them just not knowing it was magical to begin with is also possible."
She shrugged at Lindon.
"I'm curious about that too, honestly. Couldn't really begin to speculate on that, though."
Alex's House
Coralie went on a wild scramble around the house for a good handheld mirror. She managed to walk into Sandra's room before a brief spark of reason set off at the back of her mind, sounding a lot like her parents scolding her for intruding on her host's room. Probably best not to go through that faux pas again. Having backed out of the room, and tried to close the door in such a way that it looked undisturbed, she scooped up the gun and got back to the living room.
Coralie chuckled with devious excitement, as she started pushing buttons and flipping switches on the strange device. "It's so good to get an invitation for havoc-wreaking. In fact, while we're at it- Miss Palencia!" she called, loudly, "Just gonna turn your boy into a girl for a bit, hope that's okay!" Turning back to Alex, she said "Don't wanna make things TOO awkward around the dinner table, hoo hoo!"
While Sandra's double-take was processing, Coralie hoisted up the gently humming gun and checked the readout. "So, how long do you want to try being girl-you? Few minutes? Few hours? You said you're pretty sure you're all boy, so we'll go with whatever you think's a comfy time-span."
And a Strange Figure Emerges.Monday, Little Haven, Alex's house, after school - Alex Palencia the werewolf who thinks he is ready.
Sandra was humming to herself a little when she heard Coralie's yell. Sandra looked up from the noodles, and blinked a couple times as she processed what she just heard. "... Yeah, I should probably keep an eye on that," she muttered to herself, lowering the heat under the noodles and walking over to the open doorway between the rooms.
Alex meanwhile had been a bit surprised by Coralie's yell. "Are you sure that... Never mind," he said, shaking his head a little, then spotted his mom.
Sandra leaned against the doorway, her arms folded and her brow raised in slight curiosity. "So was that like a metaphor, or a crazy science thing?" she wondered.
"Uh... Crazy science," Alex muttered, a little sheepishly.
"You said for a bit? Not permanent?" Sandra then asked.
"Yeah," Alex answered with a nod.
"Alright then," Sandra decided, and continued to watch.
Alex looked at his mom for another moment, then awkwardly looked at Coralie. "Well um, I don't know, why don't you decide? I'm not sure how long I'll need to like, get the perspective or whatever," he decided, or rather, had decided that he could not decide.
You are reading this.Alex's House
Coralie practically cackled. "Free reign! I love free reign!" she said excitedly. "Right, I'm thinking we go for...saaayyy...twelve hours! That way, we can have ourselves a cute lil' slumber party, and you can wake up tomorrow for morning male! And now, Mrs Palencia, prepare to be amazed!" She raised her gun, took aim, aaand... "Might wanna stand back, ma'am."
ZAP! A tongue of bright white plasma sprang from the gun and enveloped Alex in a brilliant shining white. The boy levitated a few inches above the couch where he sat, but would be far more concerned with the psychedelic lights in his vision, the theremin cacophony filling his ears, and the sensation of warmth and coolness running all around his muscles. Soon enough he'd feel his body being moulded like putty, readjusting his height and shape, relengthening his hair, transferring mass to his waist and hips, and tugging a crucial area outside in. He might have felt something snake up his back and wrap around his chest, as his underwear became bra and panties of the same brand. The rest of his clothes would be altered as per fem!Alex's own sense of fashion. Would a girl raised alone in the same household favour pants or skirt?
Then, as quickly as it started, the light show stopped. Alex plopped back into his seat, odd little sparks of multicoloured static appearing around him at random, but slowly fading away. As the dust settled, everyone had the chance to take in Alex's startling metamorphosis.
"Ta-daaaaa! Man, I'm good."
And a Strange Figure Emerges.Monday, Little Haven, Alex's house, after school - Alex Palencia the werewolf who is... Oh yeah.
"Wh-whoa, uh, huh?" Alex said as he lifted up off the couch and the transformation started, and anything he else he would've said got drowned out in the aura of technicolor light show that had enveloped his body... Though, there seemed to be more green particles in it than usual?
Moreover, it didn't stop when it should have. Most of it faded away, depositing female!Alex down for a brief moment, still wearing his usual vest and beanie, as well as a tank top and somewhat baggy blue jeans. His, or rather her eyes widened as she looked at Coralie, as there were still green particles swirling around, then inward, into her body. "WAIT-" she managed to say as she realized something was wrong, but there was nothing to be done at that point.
Her body started to grow larger slowly, then black fur started to sprout from her skin as if from nowhere. There was audible stretching and cracking as her head stretched forward, taking the shape of a wolf's, while her legs also bent into shape for a digitigrade posture. Fabric ripped as all the clothing except for the pants, vest, and beanie failed to survive the new transformation.
Once transformed, the werewolf Alex raised their head up towards the ceiling and let out a howl. Then they looked back down, at Coralie, at Sandra, then around at the rest of the room.
"Um... I'm guessing that wasn't supposed to happen?" Sandra said, having watched the whole scene with wide eyes. She slowly stepped towards the werewolf, who turned to look at her and tilted their head in confusion. Sandra noted the torn remains of the bra and tank top, barely clinging onto the werewolf's chest, as well as the fact that they seemed... No longer necessary.
With a slightly raised eyebrow, Sandra reached a hand forward and grabbed the edge of Alex's pants, and pulled them out just a little. Alex let out a little yap and their ears went back in embarrassment. Sandra's eyebrow raised a little further, and she let go of the pants. "Yeeup, back to male," she noted, taking a step back from Alex. The nature magic that made him a werewolf had completely overridden Coralie's attempt to transform him.
"So... Twelve hours, huh?" Sandra asked, glancing back over her shoulder at Coralie.
You are reading this.Alex's house
Coralie's grin of self-satisfaction and excitement of having a male-to-female buddy for the night was quickly replaced by a blanched, wide-eyed, gaping expression of shock and despair as Alex the wolf came out to play. Finally, she smacked her hand full into her face into her frustrated forehead. "Crap in a hat! Why now of all times for magic muckery?"
"Ah- d'uhm- nope, no worries, I can fix this! Kindly step away from the wolfboy, ma'am!"
Coralie raised her gun, fired on Alex again, and gone was the werewolf in ragged girl's clothes! In his place, there stood a werewolf in ragged versions of the male clothes he'd been wearing seconds before.
"Uh..." Coralie giggled nervously. "Nobody panic. Gimme a second here..."
Zap! Clothes fixed, then immediately burst again. Zap! Clothes fixed in neat folded pile on the floor, but still a werewolf. Zap! Zap! Zap!
beep, beep, beep! LOW BATTERY
"NOOOOHOHOHOOOO!" Coralie sank to her knees, flopped on her science and rolled around in the fetal position, hugging the gun to her chin. "Science, how could you betray me? We were gonna try braidiiiiing!" The science girl continued to sob and wail melodramatically.
And a Strange Figure Emerges.Layla's House
Father and daughter Gardner arrived back home. As they entered back home, Layla's mother approached the two and hugged them. "Layla, how was your first day at school?" she asked. The school certainly has interesting students. All having their unique quirks, expect for one who seemed normal enough, referring to Blake. But I'm not too confident in the staff at the school. They seem to lack resources to help us adjust to our oddities. But I suppose it's better than living like a monster back at Somerset.She came from Somerset, Pennsylvania, where she lived all of her life. A small New England town full of natural beauty. But after her head got stolen at 12, her life got complicated. Trying to hide who she was until it was revealed who she really is. At best, she alienated people. Worst, she became the subject of ridicule and prejudice. How she was made fun of for being the Headless Horsewoman. Something her parents dealt with. Even the Gardner family itself since the 17th century. While Little Haven seemed to house all kind of weird people, everything she went through in the past five years made her feel she wouldn't fare any better here.
"Layla, try to stay positive," Charles said. "This town may be the best chance of restarting. After everything we went through, perhaps things will go for the better." I guess... I just hope I don't run into any more cameramen. "Cameramen?" her mother asked. "Look at this," Charles held up the tape from the camera kid. "Some little creep tried to rip her veil off and tried to film her. I even had to threaten him to take him to court if he didn't refrain." "Oh, Layla, are you all right?" I'm fine, mother. Just glad father stepped in when he did. "Yes, well I know what I'm going to do with this..." Charles left the room, planning to destroy the tape.
"I just about have dinner ready. Come have a seat and I'll get your siblings. Violet! Chandra! Edgar!" The three siblings rushed down the stairs. The two girls in dresses, Edgar in a button-down shirt and slacks. Violet was around 13, with long, straight hair which was red as her father's and freckled-faced. Chandra was 11, who looked almost like Layla at that age, except with slightly shorter hair. And Edgar was 7, looking like a miniature Charles with brown hair, looking at the world with curious eyes. Something about her baby brother made Layla think of that strange girl at the morgue. "Dinner's about ready. You father will be with us shortly. Come on." She led her children into the dining room.
Monday, Little Haven, Alex's house, after school - Alex Palencia the werewolf who doesn't always get a say in his transformations.
"Are you sure?" Sandra asked when Coralie told her to step away from Alex, but she stepped away anyway, and watched the ensuing attempts to fix the problem. None of them managed to change him from his lycanthrope form, and it was all eventually brought to a stop by the transformation gun losing power.
Once it was over and Coralie was sobbing on the floor, the werewolf Alex looked at her with his ears drooping down to the sides. Then he looked at Sandra and let out a low whine. Sandra looked back at him, then let out a sigh and walked over to Coralie. Sandra crouched down and put a hand on the young scientist's shoulder. "There there little señorita, you and I can do some braiding and talk about cute boys or whatever you wanted to do later," she offered, then heard the timer going off in the kitchen.
"But first, dinner," Sandra said, patting Coralie's shoulder before standing and heading to the kitchen.
Alex watched his mom go, then looked at Coralie again. The floor creaked a bit from his increased weight as he slowly walked over next to her, then squatted down to be lower. (With his transformed leg shape, it was a lot easier than crouching.) He let out another little sad whine as looked down at her worriedly.
You are reading this.The Slab
"...it's probably both..." said Val in response to Linton's out-loud thinking. "...one thing you realize if you look into this kind of stuff is that there's never any pattern...no two things work in the same way...it's kind of like with us, you guys are all humans or former humans and I'm not anything..."
"...well, at least that's what Liz tells me...she's the one who's actually into all of this stuff, I just know it because she tells me about it..."
Val looked at Marilyn's phone. "...we could ask her about it, if you want..."
Outside
"...Thank you, Ms. Smith." Elaine looked incredibly relieved. She'd been given explicit confirmation that no, this wasn't some sort of act to trick her into being captured, this is genuinely what Ms. Smith wanted to do.
"My mom'll probably give you a call soon, then. She, uh, she's like me." Elaine chuckled a bit.
"...So can I go now, or did you want to keep talking, or..."
Suggested wine pairing: pinot noir.Monday, Little Haven, shopping center, The Slab, after school - Lynn Polyhymnia the quadruplets who are curious, but not that curious yet.
"Maybe the school has some kind of supernatural effect to pull in those who are connected to the supernatural... Though I'd wonder if the staff are even aware of it, if that were the case," Lindon said in response to Vivian.
At Val's suggestion, Marilyn frowned just a little, and shook her head. "I'd rather let that lie for now. We'll consider it later on, especially if we exhaust other sources of information," the yellow dressed quadruplet said to the non-person.
Then the quadruplets all frowned in further speculation. "No pattern to this? No rules to the supernatural at all? I don't like the sound of that," Carolyn noted, in a displeased tone.
You are reading this.Alex's House
Coralie sniffled, looking up at Sandra with puppy-dog eyes. "You really mean it...?"
As Sandra trotted off, Coralie swung herself back upright, hanging her head. "Well, that's another round over in the game of Nice Going, Genius," she mumbled morosely, wiping her nose on her sleeves. "Y'know, when I was a kid, I had to get used to being the odd one out. The dumb one, the poor one, the brown one, the one who didn't fit, who wasn't good enough for anything. After I transitioned and found my calling, I thought that'd be the end of that. I could finally give back as good as I got, knock down anyone who tried keeping me under, and let the whole world, every world, know what a genius I was!...This past week, though...made me wonder how smart I actually am."
She looked over at last, and took a moment to take in the wolf's appearance properly. "You probably don't understand a word I'm saying, do you?" she said with a chuckle, cracking a smile again. "Didn't think this would be how I'd get to meet this side of you. Bigger, hairier...and not even slightly a jerk! Look at those big innocent peepers, all that floofy fur," Coralie reached over to give Alex a few scratches behind the left ear. "You're just a big puppo, aren't ya? Just a big floofy puppo, a big floofa-boofa-foo, whooo-sha-floofa-dooba-doo?"'
If allowed, Coralie would reach with her other hand to continue petting, rocking Alex's head from side to side to make his ears wobble, all while continuing to spout baby talk.
And a Strange Figure Emerges.Monday, Little Haven, Alex's house, after school - Alex Palencia the werewolf who is not just a dog.
Alex seemed to grin and start panting (which did also blast Coralie in the face with dog-breath,) when Coralie started scratching behind his ear. He leaned his head back slightly and brought a hand up to his other ear to scratch behind it himself, raking big, mean looking claws through the fur to his satisfaction.
Alex made no seeming protest as Coralie tried to continue. Flopping his ears and shaking his skin was working, but trying to get his whole head to move was like trying to twist a tree branch. As much as he may have looked and mostly acted like an adorable puppy, he was not. There was perhaps a bit of reminder there that he was now at least twice her total bulk, and much stronger. His neck muscles stood firm under the attempt to get his head to rock back and forth. At least he didn't seem bothered by it at all.
A little bit later, Sandra's voice approached from the doorway to the kitchen. "Alright, time for sopa seca de fideo!" she called, walking into view with a cookie sheet in hand as an improvised tray to carry the pan full of noodles, a measuring cup with some cream in it, a bowl of crumbled feta cheese, and some plates. "It's supposed to also come with avocado slices, but we're unfortunately out. Now first, let me see about feeding Alex and putting him out so he doesn't try to eat our servings too," Sandra added, placing the tray on the table before switching to Spanish, "<Alex, supper time!>"
Alex's vibrant, orange eyes lit up, and he let out an excited bark. As the werewolf stood up though, he apparently thought that he should take his new friend along for supper too! So as he rose to his feet, he had wrapped one arm around Coralie's midsection, and picked her up with effortless ease.
Seeing that, Sandra let out a startled yelp. "<Alex! No! Put her down! Put her down!>" she yelled in a somewhat panicked tone.
Alex's ears moved back in a slightly startled, confused, and guilty looking expression.
Edited by FirockFinion on Jun 4th 2024 at 10:17:53 AM
You are reading this.Mrs Smith
"Thank you, you can go now. I need to fetch my son and get home. Come along, Gill."
She gives a curt nod to Elaine and walks over to the shopfront to get her son's attention.
The Slab
"I don't really... Like what this could mean... I mean if they were treasure hunters it was before I was around; I only remember them working in an office..."
He does jump at the knock on the window and spins around to look at his mom there.
"I'll be right out! Sorry guys, maybe we can talk about this later, yeah?"
It's clearly a case of backroom political albumizing.Gill wasn't sure what to say. However, when Mrs. Smith said they were going to find Blake and head off, Gill perked up and nodded.
"All right," he said, following her. When he saw Blake inside the building, Gill grinned and waved at his classmate.
I can still hail the Horde even though the company has shamed us. Strength and Honor even if Blizzard has neither.Layla's House
The Gardner children joined their mother for dinner, with Charles coming in shortly after. Layla removed her veil as she began eating. Meat loaf, complete with potatoes and chives and peas for the whole family. As Layla dissolved a piece of meat loaf into her neck, she felt the presence of someone staring at her. It was Violet, glaring at the eldest sister. But Layla did her best to pay Violet no mind as she continued eating. "So, Layla, how did the search go?" her mother asked.After school, I had went to the cemetery, the man there was a little too eager for his line of work, but he was helpful enough, at least. He didn't have what I was looking for, but he pointed me to the morgue. "And how did that go?" The girl there said she'll keep in touch should they come by anything. I even gave her your business card, father. "Very good. Hopefully we'll finally head into the right direction." "Yeah, about time," Violet snarked.
Layla was tempted to hunker down right now upon her sister's comment, but it wouldn't have been proper table manners. Though she felt a bit of relief over hearing her mother yelling Violet's name in an offended tone. "Well, it's true. We wouldn't have had to move had her head not get stolen," Violet countered. "Violet, that's enough," Charles intervened. "Why? I was just starting to gain some recognition. I was just starting to talk to the popular girls. I was this close to being in. But because she couldn't find her head, I lost everything and now I'm here in this town. I got nothing now! Nothing!" Violet complained.
"Violet, that is enough!" Charles yelled in a manner that stiffened everyone, even Violet. "May I remind you everyone in this family is a Dullahan? And you, Violet, imagine how you'd feel if you were in your sister's shoes. Living for years without a head. Going through the risk of alienating everyone? All because people like to judge what they don't understand. Do you think those popular girls would take you in if they learned the truth?" Violet looked as if she wanted to debate him, but couldn't get anything past her lips. "Your behavior is unacceptable. You are excused from the dinner table. Head up to your room now. You're grounded." Violet and her father locked eyes with each other before Violet stormed out of the room. Layla was about to be on the verge of tears. Not only was her life back home ruined. But now she felt she ruined her family's lives.
"Layla, I'm sorry you had to hear that. It's not your fault everything that's happened. Violet's still not young enough to understand other peoples' struggles. She didn't have those challenges. And I hope for her sake, she never has to deal with them," her mother tried to reassure her. May I be excused? "Of course, dear." Layla put her veil back on and left out of the house onto the porch. She sat on the steps, pondering about her life. She wasn't quite convinced about her mother's words. She still felt at fault over everything that went wrong. What if she had only locked her door those five years ago? What if she had heard it? Would she have hid so her head wouldn't have been stolen? So many questions, so many scenarios she played out. Yet, she wished she could have made things right.
A few moments later, she heard the door creaking. It was her youngest sister, Chandra, who sat with her and wrapped an arm around her. "Layla, I tried to keep an eye out for your head, too." Oh, where did you look? "I looked around stores. And when I told people, I was looking for my sister's head, I got the strangest looks. But I couldn't find it." Well, I do appreciate you trying to help, Chandra. "Layla, do you ever think you'll find it?" Layla froze a bit before saying I hope so. She tried to sound brave, but didn't really believe it herself.
"Layla?" Yes? "I don't know why Violet has to be so mean about it. You've been bullied by almost everyone else back home." I don't know, Chandra. I guess, it's like Father said; people judge what they don't understand. Now if you'll excuse me, I really need to be alone. "All right, but before I go... I hope you get your head back. But whether you have it or not, you'll always be my big sister. And I'll love you forever." Chandra gave her a hug. Thank you, I love you, too. Layla heard Chandra go back in. Between two younger sisters, while she was upset over Violet's resentment, Chandra's love gave her the boost she needed right now.
The Slab
"...oh, I should probably head out too...it was nice talking to you guys...bye...see you tomorrow..."
And with that, Val stood up from the table and left the ice cream shop.
As we all know, time is weird. We may continue with scenes from the past Monday, or scenes in the intervening time, but we shall also be skipping ahead to the next Friday.
Friday Morning, Outside Oddity High
Things were normal outside the building that contained Oddity High. No one was present (not even Val this time), and the quiet calm of the early morning surrounded the area, almost in anticipation.
Suggested wine pairing: pinot noir."Why the fuck are we here so early?!" Heidi groaned, sitting in the passenger seat of her mom's car. Heidi's mom shot her a look that could kill.
"What did I say about your language?!" her mom spat. "And we're here early so I can make absolutely sure you stay in school this time!" she added. "Those incompetent staff have no idea what they're doing, but they'd better shape up so we can fix what's wrong with you!"
"Nothing's wrong with me!" Heidi insisted.
"Stop telling lies!" Heidi's mom retorted. "You know full well what's wrong with you. We are going to see to it that my darling girl is cured of you if it's the end of me. Now get out of the car and get into that school." Heidi didn't budge for a moment. "Heidi Louise Stevenson," her mom growled. "Get out of this car and go to school."
Finally Heidi, grumbling, unbuckled her seatbelt and exited the car, walking toward the front of the school and trying the door. Locked, She sighed and sat on the front stoop.
I can still hail the Horde even though the company has shamed us. Strength and Honor even if Blizzard has neither.Thursday Afternoon, Outside Oddity High
Mindy had spent the last few days figuring out what she wanted to do for her date with Gill on Friday. Since it was their first date, she wanted it to feel special. Do something fun for the merman. She looked around online for some stores here and came across one unique store. Seeing that school was over, Mindy made her way to the store and began browsing around. It was unlike any place she ever been in. And seeing how she's from New York, that's certainly saying something.Friday Morning
Mindy locked up her bike at the post. She took her backpack and headed up to the school building. Seeing Heidi sitting there, doing nothing, Mindy figured it was locked. So she just walked over the wall and leaned against it after placing her backpack down to her feet. She looked down at the backpack for a second before smiling. She was eager for the afternoon to get there.Charles drove by the school and dropped Layla off. She waved goodbye to her father as he left. She walked over to the steps, seeing Heidi waiting. I suppose the teachers haven't arrived yet, have they? she asked Heidi.
From Monday...
"WOAH!" Coralie giggled nervously as she found herself hoisted into the air by a werewolf.
Noticing Alex looking a bit put out, Coralie sympathetically patted his head. "It's okay, buddy, you can carry me later. We'll go for a piggy-back ride, or something." She resisted a one-liner about sweeping a girl off her feet. The situation was weird enough without trying to make the whole thing saucy.
Still, ignoring for a minute that he was a person under there, Coralie could just imagine herself using Wolf!Alex as a mount- riding bareback on a great wolf in the moonlit night, looking like something out of a heavy metal album cover, hunting for prey and deadly battles.
...maybe...even hunting for Two? Gears started turning at the back of Coralie's mind. A plan started to form involving a wolf's sense of smell, and the possibility of sweet revenge... Maybe not something to bring up over dinner, though.
..Thru Friday
With a tune on her lips, and a bright white labcoat blowing in the breeze, Coralie drifted down the street on her hoverscooter. At this point, her super-science transport was a matter of routine- no need to make a dramatic entrance. She'd probably have to try mixing it up at some point before things got too stale, but right now, Coralie didn't mind at all.
The past few days had been getting better and better for her- a roof over her head, a nice warm bath at night, and a nice fresh change of clothes at last! Today would be the first day this week she didn't have to borrow a piece of Sandra's wardrobe, with the last trace of a stench finally expunged from her outfit from earlier in the week. Why change anything, when going back to normal can feel so good?
Speaking of going back to normal, her machinery was on the mend after four days of work. Both her guns were charged- it had taken ages to get the Transmogrifier back to full power just by plugging it into the mains, but it was worth it to get that slumber party on Wednesday night. Over at the shed, repairs to the Quantum Tollbooth were going well, but had stalled lately. Unable to stand working with limited resources around town any longer, Coralie had bitten the bullet and written up a shopping list for top-of-the-line tech to be bought online. It'd set the Palencias back by about half a grand, though, so she'd need to pay it back to them somehow, and pay it in full! Because of that, and another little project she'd decided to have a crack at, Coralie had tabled the portal repair for now.
Back in the present, Coralie swung perpendicular to the bike rack and hopped off the scooter to secure it. A bike lock would do for now, until she got the kinks out of the automated gravity clamp. That done, she hoisted her heavy belongings onto her back and strolled over to the front entrance. "Mornin', girls!" she called to the others, before dropping her backpack at the steps with a thunk. "How're we doing at this end-of-a-week?"
And a Strange Figure Emerges.Monday Evening, Vivian's House
Vivian went home for the night, where she was greeted by her mother.
"Hello dear," she said, giving her daughter a hug. "How was your first day?"
"It went well," Vivi said, hugging her mom back. "It was pretty chaotic, but the important thing is that nobody really minds that I'm a vampire. I mean, they were weirded out at first, but they were cool with it by the end of the day."
This surprises her mom.
"Wait... they know? You told them?"
Vivian nods, looking sheepish.
"I know, I wasn't sure at first if it was a good idea either. But if we could trust this school enough to move to a different country, I figured that maybe I could be honest about why I was attending."
Her mother seems concerned, but nods after a moment.
"I... suppose so. And I'm glad that your classmates accept you for who you are. But I want to make it clear, this isn't something you can share with anyone else. It hurts my heart what you and your sister Mary went through at such a young age. No child should ever feel unsafe for simply what they are, but I fear that you will be once again should this information ever leave the school."
"I understand. Trust me, I'm not exactly eager to reveal what I am to anyone outside this school, either. Not after all we've been through."
"Good," her mother sighed with relief. "I just want you to be able to have a life here, the kind we couldn't back home."
"Somehow, I have the feeling we will."
Friday
Vivian joins Heidi, Coralie, and Layla.
"Hey gals," she greets them. "I've been having a pretty good week, Cora. How 'bout you?"
Friday Morning, the Smith vehicle
The last few days had been ordinary. Oh no not to say they were 'as usual' in the slightest, but what happened could easily be seen to outsiders as mundane actions by mundane people: Phone calls and paperwork from Mrs Smith, schoolwork and homework by Blake, and shopping trips for the entire household to get the basics of belongings for the newest resident.
Which eventually settles down to the trio in the car, sitting out the front of the school watching students arrive.
"Oh hey there's Mindy! I guess we should head out, yeah?"
Blake peels his face off of the car window and flashes a smile back at Gill.
"Not sure how much we're gonna be able to talk once we get in there so... Good luck on your date, bro!"
It's clearly a case of backroom political albumizing.

The Slab
"That doesn't sound very useful," Vivian admitted. "But it's interesting that you have something like this to begin with."
"And well, it's true that Blake isn't involved in anything supernatural, but his parents? Who knows... maybe they've got some sorta double lives going on."